Bridle-bit.



No. 690,0l7. Patented Dec. 3|, l90l. S. CRAIGHEAD & H. N. ROBERTS.

BBIDLE BIT.

(Application filed Jan. 28, 1901.)

(No Model.)

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UNTTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SAMUEL ORAIGHEAD AND HENRY N. ROBERTS, OF CAL\VOOD, MISSOURI.

BRlDLE-BIT.

SPECIFEGATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 690,017, dated December 31, 1901.

Application filed January 28,1901. Serial No. 45,041. (No modelfi To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that we, SAMUEL ORAIGHEAD and HENRY N. ROBERTs,citizens of the United States, residing at Oalwood, in the county of Callaway and State of Missouri, have invented a new and useful Bridle-Bit, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to bridle-bits; and the object of the same is to provide a simple device of this character which will be effective in checking a horse under various conditions and wherein is embodied such an arrangement of parts that a strong and durable bit will be produced and in its operation will prevent injury to the lips of the animal and any tendency toward a rising movement will be overcome.

The invention consists in the construction and arrangement of the several parts, which will be more fully hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a bridle, shown applied and showing the improved bit in connection therewith. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the improved bit, shown broken away at one side. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of a portion of the bit.

Similar numerals of reference are employed to indicate corresponding parts in the several views.

The numeral 1 designates opposite side bars gradually reduced toward the rear and having terminal eyes 2, with rings 3 movably mounted therein for attachment to the bit of reins at. Each bar 1 adjacent its front extremity is enlarged or thickened in cross-seetion and formed with a longitudinal slot 5 opening out toward the front and having an outer guard 6, forming a wall therefor. Beyond said slot the front portion of each bar continues in the form of a forwardly-extending upwardly-curved curb extension 7, having a terminal eye 8, in which a ring 9 is mounted, the curb 10 being terminally attached to both rings 9 and held in such position by the extensions 7 as to prevent pinching or other injury to the lips of the animal. The two bars 1 are connected by a transversely-extending bit-bar 11, which engages the bars 1 at the thickened portions and has in the present instance an intermediate upward curve or deflection 12 to pass over the tongue of the animal. The terminals of the bit-bar 11 are rigidly fixed to the bars 1, and the bit as an entirety is rigid, except in the particulars which will now be explained. In each slot 5 the lower end of a coupling-arm 13 ispivotally mounted, and the lower end of the arm is formed with a curved bevel 14, so that the greater portion ,of the said arm can be moved above the plane of the bar 1, but cannot be depressed below said bar, to thereby always maintain the arms in convenient position for attachment of the parts of the bridle engaging the same. The lower end of the arm in the main contacts with the rear wall of the slot 5, and the curved bevel l4c provides a clearance, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 3. The arm 13 is reduced gradually toward its upperend, where an eye 15 is formed for the movable securement of a ring 16 in connection therewith, to which the lower end of the cheek-strap 17 is secured, as shown by Fig. 1. This arrangement of the arms 13 in relation to the extensions 7 for the curb and the bars 1, as set forth, creates a stiffness in relation to the connected parts of the bridle that will have a very beneficial effect in maintaining control of an unruly or vicious animal with a comparatively small amount of power applied to the reins, owing to the leverage that exists. When the reins are slackened, the taut strain of the arms 13 on the cheek-straps will be relaxed; but when the reins are drawn tightly and exert a pull on the bars 1 an immediate curbing or checking operation will be set up. When the reins 4 are drawn back or a tension by pulling thereon exerted by the driver, the rear portions of the side bars 1 will be drawn upwardly and the front portions of said bars will have a downward movement and set up a downward drag on the arms 13 and also simultaneously draw the curb 10 tightly against the underjaw of the animal. The downward drag on the arms 13 will naturally set up a downward pulling action on the cheek-straps attached to said arms, and the pulling strain on the cheek-straps will be transmitted to the remaining parts of the bridle, as shown, with be concentrated on the head of the animal. During this operation it will be seen that the bit-bar will serve as a fulcrum and be held the result that a downward pulling force willin one position and the leverage will be materially increased.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is In a bridle-bit, the combination of opposite elongated side bars having front upturned rigid extensions for attachment of a curb, the

reins being attachable to the rear ends of the said bars, a bit-bar to which said side bars are immovably secured, the outerportions of the side bars near the extensions being longitudinally slotted, and coupling-arms having terminals thereof pivotally held in the slotted portions of the side bars, the lower ends of the said arms adapted to have contact with the end Walls of the slotted portions to prevent the arms from being depressed below the plane of the side bars, the arms having devices in their free ends for attachment of cheek-straps.

In testimony that we claim the foregoing as our own we have hereto affixed our signatures in the presence of two Witnesses.

SAMUEL CRAlGI-IEAD. HENRY N. ROBERTS. Vitnesses:

S. P. GILBERT, B. E. ROBERTS. 

